News

The challenges facing the UK construction industry show no signs of easing, according to the latest Material Supply Chain Group statement, released by the Construction leadership council (CLC)  The statement, written by co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group John Newcomb (CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation) …

Highbourne Group is set to host its inaugural gala dinner in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on June 13 at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield. Since first partnering with Teenage Cancer Trust in 2012, Highbourne Group has raised more than £3.4 million through a variety of fundraising initiatives, from corporate …

Heating control manufacturer Drayton has hidden 10 ‘Golden Tickets’ inside selected boxes of its two-port Motorised Valve product. Ticket finders will be able to claim £50 worth of Greggs vouchers, and can claim their prize by taking a selfie of themselves holding their ticket and tagging Drayton on one of …

Builders’ merchant MKM Building Supplies (MKM) has announced the launch of a new charitable foundation. The MKM Foundation will provide a more unified way to support national and local causes, while still giving branches the freedom to fundraise, donate and volunteer in their local communities. In its first year, the …

Builders merchant Lords Builders Merchants  has opened a joint branch with sister company Advance Roofing Supplies in Bury St Edmunds.   The 1.6 acre branch was formerly a Kent Blaxill site, and its 13 staff have more than a century of experience between them. The branch has undergone a comprehensive modernisation …

Ladder manufacturer Werner, has launched the ‘April Falls Month’ campaign, a nationwide initiative to promote safer practices when working at height. The inaugural ‘April Falls’ Month’ campaign is designed to encourage trade professionals to think carefully about how they work at height, and to reinforce simple safety behaviours that help …

Builders merchant Huws Gray has been fined over £2m after one of its workers was crushed to death by a pallet of timber. Paul Coulson, 56, was removing plastic packaging from pallets of timber before they could be processed at the the company’s Herringswell Sawmills, in Bury St Edmonds. He …

The British Coatings Federation has urged the Government to support its PaintCare initiative, launched this month. PaintCare UK is the UK’s first voluntary, industry‑led takeback scheme for leftover decorative paint and packaging, delivered by the BCF on behalf of paint manufacturers in partnership with participating retail and trade outlets. The …

Global brick giant wienerberger UK & Ireland will operate the world’s first commercial‑scale hydrogen‑fired brick plant, at its brickworks in Denton, Greater Manchester, having secured government-backed funding for the landmark project. The funding, via the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IEFT), will part‑support a £6 million conversion programme that …

Manufacturers Haier and Passiv UK have announced An exclusive Haier and Passiv Smart Thermostat bundle that will be available through Plumb Centre branches. The new partnership will integrate the Passiv Smart Thermostat with Haier heat pumps, making it easier for installers to specify a fully integrated, smart heat pump solution at a …